The Bulldogs outscored Widefield 39-6 — in the second half — and went on to win 53-28 in a Class 4A Foothills League game.

“To say we made adjustments would be putting it mildly,” Centennial head coach Mike Palumbo said.

First, the Bulldogs (6-1, 3-1) had to gather themselves mentally after trailing the winless Gladiators 22-14 at the intermission.

Second, the Bulldogs coaching staff needed to find a way to slow down Widefield’s DQ Baker, who went for 146 yards and three touchdowns in the first two quarters alone.

Third, the Bulldogs had to regain their fight, something that was tempered last week in a loss to South.

“We weren’t ready to play and that’s on me,” Palumbo said. “Our kids just saw the 0-6 record and thought that they could just show up and win. We’re not that good. Not at all. Widefield got their attention in that first half.”

Centennial switched its defensive front to six down linemen in an attempt to slow what Palumbo called the Gladiators’ “bowling ball” offense.

“It’s confusing, like a single wing where they just try and knock guys down and let their speed take over,” he said. “We put a body on a body and that made all the difference.”

Baker had just 41 yards in the second half and the Gladiators (0-7, 0-4) managed just three second-half first downs.

And that defensive change also lit the fire for the Bulldogs offense.

Tailback Caleb Miranda rushed for 102 yards and two touchdowns on consecutive carries in the second half. His first, a 29-yard run, ended the third quarter. He then took his first handoff of the third and went 73 yards to the end zone. Miranda finished with 176 yards on the night.

Quarterback Quincy Kindred rushed for two touchdowns and threw for another. He was a perfect 3-for-3, hitting Walker Wills for a 22-yard touchdown to start the third quarter.

Fullback Mike Palumbo scored twice and Aaron Garcia returned a punt 55 yards for a score late in the fourth quarter for the Bulldogs.